Even though the setting is futuristic, the designers have held back on throwing the full sweep of sci-fi weaponry our way.  Sure there are EMP strikes, Mech walkers (yeah!), hover tanks, 'Aliens' inspired transport jets, that can traverse the length of a map in no time at all.  But, there are no laser weapons or plasma guns, giving the atmosphere a realistic anchor.
As the game progresses, hopefully with success in completing objectives,  or simply racking up kills,  your solder will gain experience.  This feeds into a surprisingly deep reward and rank system, enabling unlocks of award badges, ribbons, and more importantly ability and weapon upgrades.
These rewards are at the individual and squad level, encouraging cooperative play. Also these upgrades are a welcome addition to any new player who initially bumbles into battle without even a handy grenade to begin with.

Rising in rank will also ensure you have a shot at becoming squad leader. Then, if elected within the game, playing as Commander of the force.  Playing as Commander gives you access to the 'Commander Screen' to view and give orders to squads, direct bombardments and in 'Titan' mode, move your hovering behemoth around the map.

All up Battlefield 2142 provides an adrenaline injecting experience that will reinvigorate an already charged Battlefield community, yet possibly overwhelm new players to the arena.

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